Airline stocks in Asia-Pacific boosted by Australia-New Zealand travel bubble, rising optimism 

SINGAPORE — Asia-Pacific airline stocks were on the move in Tuesday trade after a flurry of announcements largely boosted the outlook for international air travel.

Shares of Australia’s Qantas Airways surged 2.55% while Air New Zealand’s stock soared around 6%.

Those stocks rose as New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced that the “travel bubble” between her country and Australia will begin April 19.

Meanwhile, Singapore’s aviation regulator said beginning in May the country will start accepting travelers who use the International Air Transport Association (IATA) mobile travel pass for pre-departure checks. Shares of Singapore Airlines rose about 0.2% in Tuesday trade.

“Having the confidence of an aviation leader like Singapore in IATA Travel Pass is hugely significant,” Willie Walsh, director general at IATA, said in a statement.

“Ongoing trials put us on track for IATA Travel Pass to be a critical tool for the industry’s restart by delivering verified travel health credentials to governments. And travellers can have complete confidence that their personal data is secure and under their own control,” Walsh said.

Elsewhere, shares of Korean Air Lines were flat, while Japan’s airlines stocks lagged the broader region. Japan Airlines dropped 2.44% while ANA Holdings fell 2.19%.

Local media reported that quasi-emergency Covid-19 measures were implemented starting Monday in multiple prefectures in Japan in an effort to stem a resurgence in infections.

The air travel industry has been among the sectors hit hardest by the coronavirus pandemic as authorities globally tightened border restrictions to curb the spread of the virus.